By Michael Idato

Lawyers for "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's 17-year-old daughter Bindi must submit her father's death certificate to a Los Angeles court to prove that he is actually dead.

Irwin's father, who had a high profile on US television as a host of wildlife programs, was killed by a stingray barb in 2006; his funeral was broadcast on news services around the world.

Bindi Irwin has has received enormous praise for her performances each week on DWTS.

Photo: Supplied

But as strange as it seems, a Los Angeles court has ruled that without documentary proof of Steve Irwin's death, it cannot proceed on the assumption that he is, in fact, dead.

At stake is Irwin's daughter Bindi's earnings from the reality television program Dancing with the Stars, on which she is currently competing.

Steve Irwin was killed in 2006 after being struck by a stingray barb in the heart while snorkelling at Batt Reef in Queensland.

Photo: Animal Planet

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Under US law, contracts with minors must be processed by a judge; during that process both parents or guardians would usually waive any legal right to the minor's income.

But this very strange legal wrangle began when a Los Angeles Superior Court rejected Bindi's "minors" contract with the show because the ancillary paperwork did not comprehensively prove that her father was dead.

Irwin's lawyers had included in their submission a release stating that Irwin's mother, Terri, surrendered all legal rights to any income Bindi may make from appearing on Dancing with the Stars.

But the judge has ruled that without a similar release from her father, "the court is unable to find that it is in the best interest of the minor to be bound by the terms of the contract."

Owing to Steve Irwin's huge profile in the US, his death created international headlines and his funeral was broadcast on news services around the world. Bindi was eight years old at the time and gave a memorable speech.

One of the most revealing aspects of the case is that it has effectively cracked open the financial terms of a reality TV contract, a rarity in US television where the details of such contracts are typically considered "commercial in confidence".

According to the contract, Irwin is to be paid a fee of $US125,000 to appear on the show, plus $US10,000 per week for the third and fourth weeks, $US15,000 for the fifth, $US20,000 per week for the sixth and seventh weeks, $US30,000 per week for the eighth and ninth weeks and $US50,000 per week for the tenth and eleventh weeks.

At this point in the competition, Irwin has earned $US230,000.

She and dancing partner Derek Hough are widely tipped as possible winners.

They are the only couple in the series so far to receive "10" scores from all three judges twice. They were scored "perfect 10's" for a rumba and an Argentine tango.

Though some media outlets are reporting that her income from the show is in jeopardy, there is no real suggestion that her salary will be withheld, though it may be delayed as the court processes the paperwork.